tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32198296816015225462024-03-27T19:53:29.953-04:00New Mercies I SeeDenise Fabianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004366672101988411noreply@blogger.comBlogger307125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-9289995889646865302015-12-12T16:50:00.000-05:002015-12-12T16:50:08.736-05:00MEH!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh7wQW0Olqbxeaz5pYSdwo8m56csIbtgRKTuBl-Kxyt-_5uaa-dyh6ecl18r4ERk96xPNNCHcSR7KZ0V-UQcHYhfeATfeXJ1GD16Uw2QbX-FFXzv_v7pIE1u6_W62x5-KMei_01kXv1w/s1600/denisepowersfabian--2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh7wQW0Olqbxeaz5pYSdwo8m56csIbtgRKTuBl-Kxyt-_5uaa-dyh6ecl18r4ERk96xPNNCHcSR7KZ0V-UQcHYhfeATfeXJ1GD16Uw2QbX-FFXzv_v7pIE1u6_W62x5-KMei_01kXv1w/s1600/denisepowersfabian--2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">MEH</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">…</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s how Friday felt. Christmas blues are not unusual
and they hit me hard this morning. I walked into my
office (already feeling this blue film on my spirits) and got hit with a bunch
of emails from Columbus adding complexity, rework, changes in protocol, and
hassle to what is only to be a fraction of what my job is but seems to rob me
of the most meaningful parts of my work.
I did not see an end.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">I can become over
stimulated and more tired in December with the extra demands and chaos of
Christmas at a children’s hospital. I
was doing very well, then today</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">ugh</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">I
cannot even listen to my voice go on about it. Spare me my own whining! </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>God give me perspective!</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">I was rescued by a Friday</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">knowing
that I could center and reset for a few days after the day finished. I am so
thankful to have made the commitment to slow down Christmas daily by going
through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Greatest-Gift-Unwrapping-Christmas/dp/1414387083" target="_blank">“The Greatest Gift”</a> by <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank">Ann Voskamp</a>.
It would be my top priority on Saturday morning</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">no
clock to hurry me, quietness, time to sit in the flickering candles and soft
Christmas music and twinkle lights, time to reflect, and nourish myself with
whatever God had for me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Who would have thought the story of Ruth and Naomi would have
anything to do with Christmas? God knew</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">and
prompted Ann to write His message to me today.
Naomi was not having a great Christmas (having lost her husband and two
sons). It was hard to see that her widowed daughter-in-law, Ruth, was there by her side, never to leave her alone.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Ann writes: <i><span style="color: #c00000;">“There are Advent moments when you’d like nothing more
than to order a Christmas miracle. The one you need when it feels like no one
sees you. No one sees how you really feel. How overwhelmed by the work and
underappreciated by the people. No one sees that you just want someone to cup
your face and look into your eyes and say your name from somewhere deep inside,
like a calling home, like a belonging ~ like a holding that has you around all
the fragile places and never leave.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">“Some seasons are Naomi times</span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">…</span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">In some seasons, for all their gloss and glitz, it can be
achingly hard to find gifts and days can feel like fists.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">“<u>Sometimes the miracle begins by growing, not in bitterness, but
in faithfulness</u>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Like Naomi, I sometimes miss the love around me</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">those
who have been faithful Ruth’s in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">What a joy to slow down and see them</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">…and so many abundant gifts!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Denise Fabianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004366672101988411noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-28854581607027203722015-10-31T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-31T09:03:40.014-04:00Thirty-One Things - Laugh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7876YeFPlgph6atqLUc5jPKQh9Kh_2_H1WBIXsr4Ds96uOpYPykMKNSL23ia9ix6AVzSf8ktPJ_On_J8QUU1xr6AWm9Dl6Rr8f7Ze7tMO7f-S9LnqSmygflYFWnSN3wEMvxwdNiEVdjY/s1600/denisepowersfabian--41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7876YeFPlgph6atqLUc5jPKQh9Kh_2_H1WBIXsr4Ds96uOpYPykMKNSL23ia9ix6AVzSf8ktPJ_On_J8QUU1xr6AWm9Dl6Rr8f7Ze7tMO7f-S9LnqSmygflYFWnSN3wEMvxwdNiEVdjY/s640/denisepowersfabian--41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Make them Laugh!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Contagious laughter is a priceless gift. That is, the kind of laughter that makes you laugh because of someone else’s actual laughter. Phyllis Diller was classic with this…and her famous cackle was her authentic laugh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Once Ed was tying his shoelaces and it broke. He made some Ed-ism remark, and I laughed. Then Lydia laughed hard, deep, belly laugh. Her laugh was the trigger to more laughter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There’s something contagious about trying to stifle a laugh. I do this “keep my mouth shut but then my laugh comes out of my nose” laugh. It causes such a stir, I should just let my laugh fly. It always happens in public. It often brings a laugh from others and sometimes smart remarks. Like Phyllis, it comes from an authentic place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">One of my favorite memories with my mom is when we would get tickled about something. An inside joke, you might say. Just between us. And other people most likely don’t get it. Lydia and I share those moments as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The greatest laugh comes from children. Gabriel used to get excited and laugh sounding like a weed-whacker. Noah can laugh so hard that it sounds like he is crying. I remember how Caleb would laugh hysterically when the Rugrats’ mother would come on television or the mouse would hop up and down on the turkey rotisserie in the fireplace in a Muppet Christmas Carol.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Laughter is good for us. Proverbs tells us that a merry heart does good like a medicine. At times I need to be random and silly…punchy…slap happy! It does my heart good to have a lighter attitude about life. I have a mind that is always amusing itself. It’s dangerous in a group, as of those amusements will slip out inadvertently. Inside my head is a non-stop repertoire of movie lines.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Stephen Chobsky writes, “There’s nothing like deep breaths after laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons.” I’d add: When laughter turns into a coughing spell.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>Denise Fabianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004366672101988411noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-66943084514557646192015-10-30T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-30T07:00:07.151-04:00Thirty-One Things - Water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2I_5R6iCHvbIto50mRaYFEyB5d5Z50mcRTFnITjcUyW_FBipuf6aPjYiiwJQSUts5WDt8JEA-ZTgRvqB4pnzjpvPRmwn06hkmVn4SH0exdioMJ4wb-Kc8EMoUc6W5T6NRpKXTzJ1O1g/s1600/denisepowersfabian--40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2I_5R6iCHvbIto50mRaYFEyB5d5Z50mcRTFnITjcUyW_FBipuf6aPjYiiwJQSUts5WDt8JEA-ZTgRvqB4pnzjpvPRmwn06hkmVn4SH0exdioMJ4wb-Kc8EMoUc6W5T6NRpKXTzJ1O1g/s640/denisepowersfabian--40.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Water<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Three weeks ago, Ed and I were in the Canaan
Valley area of West Virginia. There is a
lot of water in the mountains and valleys of Appalachia. Small springs turn into brooks that turn into
streams that turn into raging rivers, only to be added to from mountain runoff.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">After seven days and nights of on and off
rain, we ventured to Blackwater Falls.
Still dreary, the leaves would be saturated with color and the
Blackwater River would be in full force.
The roaring from the turbulent waters rapidly, helplessly free-falling
from 50-foot drop off can be heard long before they can be seen from the moment
one exits their car. To see it is
hypnotizing</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">you cannot look
away. The falling water then twists and
turns along an eight mile gorge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The power overwhelms the senses as you
travel the boardwalk and steps closer and you begin to feel the mist lightly
land on your arms and face, and if you are not careful, your camera. You forget there are those around you, as its
mighty force draws you in. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Water is essential for sustaining life, and
yet, too much of it will leave carnage in its wake. Three years ago it was Hurricane Sandy that
paralyzed the east coast. Who can forget
the devastation of New Orleans prompted by Hurricane Katrina?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;">“Water is powerful. </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 10.5pt;">It can wash away earth, </span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 10.5pt;">put out fire, and
even destroy iron.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">” </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">– Arthur Golden</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In the spiritual realm, fear, doubt, stress,
and self-pity can overcome me like water, tossing me about with nothing to hold
on to at the mercy of this massive power.
But just as Peter did when he began to sink as he watched the water and
waves below, keeping my eyes on Jesus becomes my anchor. Peace be still.</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
Denise Fabianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004366672101988411noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-56809426076667805102015-10-29T20:30:00.000-04:002015-10-29T20:30:08.192-04:00Thirty-One Things - Ritual<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeDjQgRk8KS7nVa7t8QFZ7sAYeBLtoPfKWk9go9mcQhMHXCRQ2MwsPOP5n5o0siiW6qpVjDJkCQf8NgcaGCpm_kMXbVLWbZKyWPg2lkslYyKqYisZZQFy1QGgHzoCKv-FvksjBlvVsjw/s1600/denisepowersfabian-201757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeDjQgRk8KS7nVa7t8QFZ7sAYeBLtoPfKWk9go9mcQhMHXCRQ2MwsPOP5n5o0siiW6qpVjDJkCQf8NgcaGCpm_kMXbVLWbZKyWPg2lkslYyKqYisZZQFy1QGgHzoCKv-FvksjBlvVsjw/s640/denisepowersfabian-201757.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Ritual<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I’ll admit it. This word has stumped me. I have rituals in my life but I don’t know if
I can expound on just one to complete a whole page. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My first thought was to write about the
ritual this country goes through every four years. Election hype. It seems to start 18 months after a new
President is elected. Speculation about
who might be eyeing the prize that goes on until wannabes start declaring their
candidacy. Every word, every movement, every
nuance is scrutinized. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">And then come the debates</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">And the pundits, aka talking heads, before
AND after</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Who’ll drop out, what do the polls say this very
nano second</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And the live Twitter feeds go crazy!!!!!
(And I kinda get into it.) It’s become
this country’s ritual.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But I want to talk about a ritual that’s way
more fun and happens every night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">You can tell when Arthur gets antsy and wants
me and Ed to head for bed. Do you think
it is because he is tired? Absolutely not.
Ed and I do our individual before bed routines and then climb under the
covers. Our furry four-footed Pembroke
Welsh Corgi</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">yes, Arthur</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">flies
his long short-legged body into our bed.
He knows he’s in for wrestling and playing and petting. Arthur knows Mom will hide under the covers
and make him have to find her. Arthur
knows Dad will wrestle with him. Arthur
knows this ritual like the back of his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">But smart doggy</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">he
knows when Ed turns on his side and I turn on my stomach, it’s sleeping
time. He dutifully knows his ritual is
to bound off the bed and land on his soft bed on the floor adjacent where we
sleep for the night. And he smiles as he
goes off to sleep thinking, “Oh boy! I
get to do this again tomorrow!”</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Denise Fabianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004366672101988411noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-66768522075753147572015-10-28T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-28T15:44:53.788-04:00Thirty-One Things - Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlTPtJ1hXyzzu-8CMhFPZi_V7MouMVSbIWt529jLo205AqOtpWdFQOBfXbubxNNbGreRGCyyUtjN3ewjl3Cn1XYBCVaGiFDknkNWA0PodnpPOITW9KvHi4k84Lxx8-p29-cGrTXGMoB8/s1600/Pitcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlTPtJ1hXyzzu-8CMhFPZi_V7MouMVSbIWt529jLo205AqOtpWdFQOBfXbubxNNbGreRGCyyUtjN3ewjl3Cn1XYBCVaGiFDknkNWA0PodnpPOITW9KvHi4k84Lxx8-p29-cGrTXGMoB8/s640/Pitcher.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 10pt;">Break</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">On my piano sits a beautiful, but broken,
piece of pottery. A pitcher you might
say. About 18” high. Once a bright aqua with sunflowers painted on
it. Now it is faded, marred, scratched,
and glued back together. It actually had
come apart into two pieces.</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This pitcher was a visual of my life and my
husband’s before each other. We used it in our wedding as
a symbol. Married later in life, we came
to each other not unlike this broken pottery.
Separately we came with our own disappointments, failures, trials,
struggles, and stumbles. We both had disability
invade our lives. We had regrets and
things we might have changed in our past if we could. We were convinced that only God could have put each of us back together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The truth is, I found this pitcher at a yard
sale for two bucks. Ed and I broke it
and put it back together. Far from
perfect, it was beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Far from perfect, God took two individuals,
broken, and put each one back together separately by His healing grace and unconditional
love. The healing process was painful,
having God set in place what was broken.
Then rehab followed. It was a long road and neither of us had a clue
that we would meet each other at the end of it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ed and I found each other</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">with
our limps and scars</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">grateful we
had surrendered to the Potter’s hand and gone through the process of his
restoration long before we knew each other existed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The broken pitcher sits on display in our
living room. It would hold no real significance
without the meaning behind it. God’s
restoration of our brokenness in His firm but loving way is a miracle of
grace. Brokenness is the road to
healing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><i><b>God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, </b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><i><b>broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, </b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><i><b>broken bread to give strength. </b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><i><b>It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. </b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><i><b>It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns </b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><i><b>to greater power than ever. - Vance Havner</b></i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
Denise Fabianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004366672101988411noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-74368547917760095122015-10-27T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-27T12:13:57.760-04:00Thirty-One Things - Happy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBF78do61Txu5AQV9z3cqmWF_B8yYOwRUY5HsUSCi2FVF8Mer0g-42QNn9S7hLE4jy1padoJPDj_XSt5KPg6hd4jRZnvntQvzlwTpT_yhUECPEC89cvxBR4RK1GiL0xDsazHfrRrjSu_w/s1600/Il+Volo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBF78do61Txu5AQV9z3cqmWF_B8yYOwRUY5HsUSCi2FVF8Mer0g-42QNn9S7hLE4jy1padoJPDj_XSt5KPg6hd4jRZnvntQvzlwTpT_yhUECPEC89cvxBR4RK1GiL0xDsazHfrRrjSu_w/s640/Il+Volo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Happy<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharrell_Williams" target="_blank">Pharrell Williams</a> in 2014 came out with the
song, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM" target="_blank">“Happy”</a> which took the world by storm.
It’s been everywhere</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">in movies,
commercials, social media. I prefer the
word joy but also believe that is a deeper current in the heart when happiness
may not be felt. But let’s keep this
light. What makes me happy? (Oh, to name a few</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Feeling my husband’s foot under the covers
in the middle of the night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Autumn leaves, sweater weather, fuzzy
socks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Two beady eyes from my favorite furry
friend.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Grandboys happy to see their Mamaw and
Grandpa Ed!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=300iJNQo-Mw" target="_blank">Singing “Country Roads” at the stadium after WVU has won at home</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Friday nights after a long week of work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Capturing an incredible moment with my
camera.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Watching the Perseids out in the country
on a humid August night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">- Time with a close friend</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">over
coffee even better.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- An Italian dinner followed with a live <a href="http://www.ilvolomusic.com/en/" target="_blank">Il Volo</a> concert with my Ed. (One is coming
up in February!!!!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Caleb and me sharing eye contact and
burgers in the back seat of the van.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- A perfect porch swing day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Hearing the first chipping sparrow in
Spring.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Being at home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Carving out time to slow down, breathe
deep, and be grateful.</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
Denise Fabianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004366672101988411noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-84080191314658767902015-10-26T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-26T07:00:02.820-04:00Thirty-One Things - Sweet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguu1MEsfoYP_-mewRdDTAa3PzalhSwzfGcJwMMOGikmrh8BBuT4b0_3wHCLee_7YURgLPZqyRhLxlNMsw_optU06UuqvWTf4vsyPcXACMJXotnXpHaJYM-zCtXZi_71bcpRoC64RfQedY/s1600/denisepowersfabian-0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguu1MEsfoYP_-mewRdDTAa3PzalhSwzfGcJwMMOGikmrh8BBuT4b0_3wHCLee_7YURgLPZqyRhLxlNMsw_optU06UuqvWTf4vsyPcXACMJXotnXpHaJYM-zCtXZi_71bcpRoC64RfQedY/s640/denisepowersfabian-0043.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sweet<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Some crave salt; some crave sweets. I am definitely on the <u>sweet</u> side.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My mother always had something sweet
available for “snack” before bed. Sunday
dinner was the only meal followed by dessert.
Of course, we had the traditional birthday cake (although sometimes she
made my dad a pie for his birthday). My
mother also made candy for Christmas time:
black walnut fudge, peanut butter fudge, orange blossoms, Hollywood squares,
thumbprints, stained glass windows. I
miss those days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Fridays our family went to the grocery store
and my brother, my sister, and I could choose a packaged candy for snack that
night. I always chose <a href="http://www.brachs.com/products/milk-chocolate-stars/">Brach chocolate stars</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My favorite sweet since I was little has
been cake. My mother always had a boxed cake made in a 13 x 9 pan for snack. The frosting was always homemade (they did
not have canned frosting in those days, thank goodness!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Every birthday, my mother would make my
favorite cake</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I called it
colored coconut, but Duncan Hines used to make a Confetti Cake with colored
coconut. My FAVORITE. It has since been discontinued but I’m
looking for recipe hacks to relive that experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My next favorite cake is white coconut cake
(do you see a theme here?) and white wedding cake. I will not eat cake with fruit filling or
pineapple upside down cake.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have made Watergate cake (rumor is someone
stole the recipe, thus how it got its name), which includes 7up and pistachio
pudding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The <u><b>easiest</b></u> cake I make was a recipe
given to me by Lois Schuey: Cr</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">è</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">me
de Menthe cake. Think mints you get at
Olive Garden. BONUS: I’ll share it: White cake mix (no pudding) and using whole eggs. Otherwise, bake as
directed adding 3 T. of green cr</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">è</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">me
de menthe liqueur. Once cooled, spread a
thin layer of chocolate fudge frosting.
Mix 3 T. of green cr</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">è</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">me de menthe
liqueur with a tub of thawed Cool Whip.
Spread over cake. Keep
refrigerated. Wallah!</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
Denise Fabianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004366672101988411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-27079129104405739182015-10-25T10:10:00.002-04:002015-10-25T17:20:04.219-04:00Thirty-One Things - Move<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMtZm05VPABplrqhw8d040Dyk5GowfXzi6IUS9b4BWEd3AFIwlxgOp0OyBfTndzwoQm3goqiCsMxjOJdlIq5UxFBwBGz4TX5UF-ClvYJ81lwG0CtTZjk6mVRZX-79RlDXfIDD3Z6ZJo4/s1600/denisepowersfabian--35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMtZm05VPABplrqhw8d040Dyk5GowfXzi6IUS9b4BWEd3AFIwlxgOp0OyBfTndzwoQm3goqiCsMxjOJdlIq5UxFBwBGz4TX5UF-ClvYJ81lwG0CtTZjk6mVRZX-79RlDXfIDD3Z6ZJo4/s640/denisepowersfabian--35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Move<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The prompt today is “move,” which I could
take into multiple directions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Today was somewhat of a challenge. I was not feeling well</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">from
a chronic condition that I deal with often.
It can impact my life and my mood as it does inhibit my activities
without warning. I was feeling sorry for myself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">In a funk</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">this
is not how I wanted to spend my Saturday.
I was sitting up in bed with Baylor playing Iowa State on the flatscreen
TV and said, “Enough of this!” My first
step was to MOVE</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">get up and make my
body perpendicular to the floor. I took
a shower and changed into clean comfy clothes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I landed on the porch swing with my Bible, a
book, and my journal. I purposefully
kept it quiet: no music playing with my
phone or background tv white noise. The
music of the rustling leaves blowing in the wind and the titmice challenging
each other at the bird feeder were my acoustical pleasures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I still was well off my game physically</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">but
even just small movement made a difference.
Movement to change my environment, to change my focus, and to lift my
mood. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Thinking about this in a practical way, I
asked myself, “How can I apply this daily?”
Our environment is powerful and can greatly affect our mood. Small movement toward change can make a
significant difference. Get up and turn
off the noise. Make a move to separate
from the commercial to the natural. Go over
and pick up something encouraging to change to move your mental focus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Newton’s
first law of motion is often stated as an object at rest stays at rest and
object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction
unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Remington Noiseless"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">It takes intention and movement to make a
change in even the smallest of ways.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Make a move, today...</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Remington Noiseless"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Denise Fabianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004366672101988411noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-55587357085589067822015-10-24T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-24T07:00:03.581-04:00Thirty-One Things - 7:30 p.m.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAx7s6kNfgNG5sTz8r0FphqMqdSj26RVJMUBeQ9iR2E00arg7QMw4r85xueN40m9Qc7fhseXovS5DD_VgINKWr2ZjUxtUcVzO5BiqCsHsdbieqmeyAg_st5mqHGo1Y0Q7lIG0NjjFwbE/s1600/denisepowersfabian-2-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAx7s6kNfgNG5sTz8r0FphqMqdSj26RVJMUBeQ9iR2E00arg7QMw4r85xueN40m9Qc7fhseXovS5DD_VgINKWr2ZjUxtUcVzO5BiqCsHsdbieqmeyAg_st5mqHGo1Y0Q7lIG0NjjFwbE/s640/denisepowersfabian-2-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">7:30 p.m.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It's Saturday in mid-October. Feet propped up on the ottoman. Unseasonably cold with snow flurries occasionally throughout the day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Ed's in the other chair, feet propped up on the ottoman. We are relishing the college football season as we flip between the Iowa vs. TCU game and Ohio State vs. Penn State.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Arthur is laying on the floor, on his back, legs up in the true Corgi way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have socks on my feet not because they are cold, but because it is that time of year when lots of lathering with lotion is essential.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As I look around the house, it is festive for the celebration of autumn. Pumpkins, gourds, fall flowers in West Virginia-made pottery, and some seeded grass stalks from the ornamental grasses from the front lawn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When I was younger, I could not imagine wanting to be home on a Saturday night. A Saturday night without a social commitment was a fate worse than death. Now I relish uncommitted time at home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">While watching football, I am editing photos from our vacation. This is our first weekend home. Lots of photos to catch up on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I hear the furnace running and I'm feeling very cozy and safe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The more I experience, the more I realize that it is the simple single moments that seem so ordinary that makes life magical.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It's 7:30 pm. I am content and feeling loved.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze2yyjCcce9KT_k7_OgBGKF6BdQPAHgDnYgsOf1W1oyd8uwCFmQgrFVuZbfy7fd4ZnmoYzBZa2xqH4HeFgu597DegK5ENJXfU99igGn5f6ZOW1N-u_jQpwcu0tHYT7pVr6q8a6saqpF4/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Denise Fabianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004366672101988411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-51405952163540307292015-10-23T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-23T07:00:03.049-04:00Thirty-One Things - Mess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiy8ZuB2Yu6Mh-Eeu1U-_G9b-CRwo-I7-hUVaxdI2eWdRI5-VFzjy-E6PWSUYa6cMSNcK2thR_Cp1U3NwKCnIYLC_gOe6TumrjCZLklMmVYgFmrkl_O3ZCac2_lHdi-9UlazQdMAHEY8k/s1600/denisepowersfabian--20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiy8ZuB2Yu6Mh-Eeu1U-_G9b-CRwo-I7-hUVaxdI2eWdRI5-VFzjy-E6PWSUYa6cMSNcK2thR_Cp1U3NwKCnIYLC_gOe6TumrjCZLklMmVYgFmrkl_O3ZCac2_lHdi-9UlazQdMAHEY8k/s640/denisepowersfabian--20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Mess</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As much as I hate mess, it seems to be a necessary evil. How many times has mess in your life become a gateway to something better? How often has mess been in an indicator that something else is going on? Maybe we should embrace mess.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For the love of mess, as it means something is happening.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For the love of mess on the pages of my Bible, as it means I have been reading it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For the love of mess of barrels on the highway, as it means the roads are being improved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For the love of mess on baby Gabriel's face, as it means he is progressing with solid foods.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For the love of mess of suitcases and coolers and bags, as it means we are leaving for vacation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For the love of mess of things out of control, as it reminds me I know the One who is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For the love of mess of dog hair on my black pants, as it means I have had time with my Corgi, Arthur.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For the love of mess all over my craft room, as it means I have been creating!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For the love of mess all over my desk at work, as it means I'm striving to make a difference.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For the love of mess of the opposite side of the bed when I come to bed, as it means the one I love is next to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For the love of mess in doubts and struggles in my faith, as it means I am growing in Christ.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jPQG1eD625FztQlqKdhPPo7OUpFqDmsBzgrRYwfgjvk3IElq52atCK5zKRc-a68BloECyCtNgQbhEx_LxSO6pSNsnkRufRYKa1uzf4aONdPcl19Of0lsDgz5zigY-ttENLx93lavuUQ/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jPQG1eD625FztQlqKdhPPo7OUpFqDmsBzgrRYwfgjvk3IElq52atCK5zKRc-a68BloECyCtNgQbhEx_LxSO6pSNsnkRufRYKa1uzf4aONdPcl19Of0lsDgz5zigY-ttENLx93lavuUQ/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Denise Fabianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004366672101988411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-85827788014998681942015-10-22T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-22T07:00:01.977-04:00Thirty-One Things - Hair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxg6HEMjyzJHHqt5wvxZv8vXfqWUIfJocDuqYd9SBsBeGLXNb-7ODauEvf5aAfh8N5mvGb-sXYAUT9fGh1wtn3_yWBO9LbumMxyXsXDCjBfTdNTfU9y1DpJPcD4n-JDwFwzW-75Nyit-o/s1600/1618507_10202763099575190_1480567597_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxg6HEMjyzJHHqt5wvxZv8vXfqWUIfJocDuqYd9SBsBeGLXNb-7ODauEvf5aAfh8N5mvGb-sXYAUT9fGh1wtn3_yWBO9LbumMxyXsXDCjBfTdNTfU9y1DpJPcD4n-JDwFwzW-75Nyit-o/s640/1618507_10202763099575190_1480567597_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hair<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I’ve always been intrigued by hair...since I
was a child. My hair has gone through
various phases and styles, like anyone’s.
My thoughts are random today...so enjoy the journey.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. I
have always longed for long luxurious hair.
My mother tended to keep me in short, pixie cuts (think Mia Farrow) in
grade school. Childhood is a time of
pretend and fantasy. Taking three old
stockings of my mother’s (days before pantyhose) braid the legs, and then put
one end on my head like a cap. I’d dance
around pretending like I had a long braid down of hair down my back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. I
remember my early high school years, my mother would give me body perms. I would set my shoulder-length hair on huge
rollers and I was ready for school. By
the time I walked to school in the early foggy mornings of September, it was
back to frizz.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3.
Even as I child, I had an inkling that I looked better with my ears
showing. Hair over my ears made my face
look broader.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4.
Right before I sat for my senior pictures, I cut my hair short and 40
years later have never grown it long again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">5. In
the late 1970s, thanks to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h0sQpM-bXs" target="_blank">Dorothy Hamill</a>, the wedge became my hairstyle. Oh, Denise, that looks so like you. It became my signature. The problem with a signature style, if you
hang onto it, you look dated. I upgraded
to a more <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2268409/Princess-Diana-photographed-alongside-Old-Etonian-aristocrat-1979-sells-18-000.html" target="_blank">Princess Diana</a> look.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">6. In
the early 1990’s, I upgraded to a short style between <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6sMzQuup4Y" target="_blank">Demi Moore’s</a> look in
Ghost and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmwWmBeOCnU" target="_blank">Halle Berry’s</a> hair in Boomerang.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">7. At
age 58, my hair texture has changed. I
have never colored my dark brown hair, which is about 20% gray. My last haircut was somewhat of a disaster so
I’m waiting for it to grow out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">8.
Now I’m ready for a new style and am open to suggestions.</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEPcrdx-T1R49pCTgVS-w8C2T3mWVsxs1b1vblwKxfGxBT9tx47-xNasBT2eHCifQk8JYZrPkFy64o82VFaNe-lD225npBs6GCx1Twg7JUrhp0G6dgH5QIdsU27PM1fPQIsKwcC_Qpa8/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEPcrdx-T1R49pCTgVS-w8C2T3mWVsxs1b1vblwKxfGxBT9tx47-xNasBT2eHCifQk8JYZrPkFy64o82VFaNe-lD225npBs6GCx1Twg7JUrhp0G6dgH5QIdsU27PM1fPQIsKwcC_Qpa8/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-32184954685427574302015-10-21T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-21T18:15:39.012-04:00Thirty-One Things - Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDxpv349vJR_KUJVAKWQF_jNE-Wp4d2RnpZO9wqN-EEq3dhxpL6NCw0eMgqcPHDZNb29uDBhsXkI3V1lmiafBgQEMEhDALhLR7nVUICeqzSvxatP6ZhQsDrotOO6uWRYBIiQ4k-Fjzoc/s1600/denisepowersfabian--140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDxpv349vJR_KUJVAKWQF_jNE-Wp4d2RnpZO9wqN-EEq3dhxpL6NCw0eMgqcPHDZNb29uDBhsXkI3V1lmiafBgQEMEhDALhLR7nVUICeqzSvxatP6ZhQsDrotOO6uWRYBIiQ4k-Fjzoc/s640/denisepowersfabian--140.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Heart<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I heard my heart crack as I saw the words on
the lined page...”pregnant.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My firstborn...my baby girl...my hope...my
heart...my daughter, Lydia. Age 20. Not married.
I’m finishing undergrad in social work.
All too aware of the fact that single motherhood is a huge risk factor
for a life of poverty. I wanted so much
more for my daughter, Lydia, who now had to face this issue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As a social worker, I also knew the impact
of protective factors...and my prayer was to be the best one I knew how to be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I’ve learned that the things that break your
heart have the possibility to enlarge your heart, increasing its capacity to
give more love and to receive more love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Noah came out perfectly in 2006; Elijah
arrived in 2008; and Gabriel was a surprise in 2014. My daughter’s misstep, which seemed to break
my heart, brought to me a love I never knew.
I have seen her grow and mature and put those boys first, sacrificing
much. It has brought so much richness
into my life. My heart contains so much
love and commitment for these boys. They
are now my hearts as well. Gained three
more!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This week Noah, in fourth grade, made an
amazing still life in art class. Last
year he won the architecture contest with his building he constructed. Elijah, in second grade, made a lovely
monochromatic piece of art. They both
are learning the violin and are taking tae kwan do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And Gabriel...we are so blessed he is
here. Gentle and sweet and so many
smiles. I am so grateful for his little
life and the opportunity to embrace a new addition to our family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Never underestimate the capacity of the
heart. What Satan meant for harm, God
has used for good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My heart is open to receive whatever He
sends my way.</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-77968553239390611322015-10-20T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-20T07:00:09.149-04:00Thirty-One Things - Paper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxI6RZkhiZG3_hUOLJ3j4prQ1R_0kwBPnV5ERlPIoqzRb8wBcVH_Ug95lujQR4GfrHEVV6Z30npNRXeQWt1aVruMFJrrWxVDEoQNeWKBeLL3YD9VjZKzhbhkT6oVAprKcN5BoRwQWARQ/s1600/denisepowersfabian-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxI6RZkhiZG3_hUOLJ3j4prQ1R_0kwBPnV5ERlPIoqzRb8wBcVH_Ug95lujQR4GfrHEVV6Z30npNRXeQWt1aVruMFJrrWxVDEoQNeWKBeLL3YD9VjZKzhbhkT6oVAprKcN5BoRwQWARQ/s640/denisepowersfabian-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Paper<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have never been inclined to purchase a
Kindle or Nook or use their apps on my Android phone. I am a lover of
paper! I love to feel it on my fingers
whether textured or silky smooth. And
not all paper is created equal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">This Spring, I discovered a book-azine that
I absolutely fell in love with</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">—</span><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://bellagracemagazine.com/" target="_blank">Bella Grace</a></span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">. So many superlatives I could attribute to
this incredible publication: exquisite
photography, succulent words, and, not to be ignored...LUXURIOUS PAPER! I carry my issues in my tote daily, “just in
case” I get a moment to peruse. That
alone, brings me comfort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I will skim article on the Internet, but
when I want to do intentional reading to learn, absorb, contemplate, or
focus...that paper HAS to be in my hands.
I need something concrete to underline or highlight or turnover to hold
my place...and of course to fall in the bathwater when I read in the bathtub.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Early on in my learning days of Photoshop I
became exposed to digital scrapbooking. Wow...great
way to scrapbook without having to store all those supplies and you can use
them over. It has its place, but after I
found <a href="http://beckyhiggins.com/project-life/" target="_blank">Project Life</a> and participated in <a href="http://aliedwards.com/projects/one-little-word" target="_blank">One Little Word</a>, I knew I had to have
the real paper experience, at least in some way. Loving paper is similar to my love for fabric...collecting
it, I might add. I have evolved into a
hybrid girl.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When it comes to the newspaper, I have not
subscribed to it in decades. The ink on
the cheap newsprint dirties the hands, getting smeared onto other items like
clothing, countertops, good paper. It
also creates a lot of waste. The
convenience of getting the news delivered to your doorstep does not outweigh
the cons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My favorite paper is the thin, tissue pages
of the Bible and the sound they make in church when congregants are looking up
a passage of scripture. It is music,
because those pages contain the words of life.
Keywording the verse in a Bible app in the same setting just does not
emote in the same way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Don’t ever say to me, <b>“It’s just paper.”</b></span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-28442814698820009142015-10-19T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-19T07:00:03.908-04:00Thirty-One Things - Path<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLAvDY1CoWieF3utjkLSiQcewcKbCKSgNJLaT1Kq25KMimOU7MuJ2U0v0kt1TPFJWctU4FvMFfteUU79T_5KwwjiKDwxZ11XqfLr8jbAaBngyWkM_2TKcgT0_WFHAefwuBAsso2YVhfE/s1600/denisepowersfabian--139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLAvDY1CoWieF3utjkLSiQcewcKbCKSgNJLaT1Kq25KMimOU7MuJ2U0v0kt1TPFJWctU4FvMFfteUU79T_5KwwjiKDwxZ11XqfLr8jbAaBngyWkM_2TKcgT0_WFHAefwuBAsso2YVhfE/s640/denisepowersfabian--139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Path<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My path up until now has had surprising
curves and detours unexpected. The path
of life is not linear. It has dips and
declines and steep inclines with plenty of opportunities to trip and fall...and
to get back UP. This is definitely true
in following Christ, but His grace sustains me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>- </b></span><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><i>As a single
footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a
pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To
make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we
wish to dominate our lives.</i> <b>–Henry David Thoreau</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>- Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light
unto my path.</i> <b>–Psalm of David</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>- I think joy and sweetness and affection are a
spiritual path. We're here to know God, to love and serve God, and to be blown
away by the beauty and miracle of nature. You just have to get rid of so much
baggage to be light enough to dance, to sing, to play. You don't have time to
carry grudges; you don't have time to cling to the need to be right.</i> <b>-Anne
Lamott</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>- Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and
lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he
shall direct your paths.</i> <b>–Proverbs 3:5-6</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>- Every day you may make progress. Every step
may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening,
ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of
the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory
of the climb.</i> <b>–Winston Churchill</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><i>- The past does not have to be your prison. You
have a voice in your destiny. You have a say in your life. You have a choice in
the path you take.</i><b> -Max Lucado</b></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-23073752161288817362015-10-18T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-18T09:48:17.305-04:00Thirty-One Things - Cook<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdvJ2Npnln9-XhJKp_qgLxBDCKuYA3VJuD5ht_eI8FWRdvknMSPGIXmwl_F61zjCIvyb-I3YSWeCsYN4agz3NG3gJsHL_j259GHCboZL3gtg9m5ANT34Px4c4hFX20A5jw5lWZnhMG_Q/s1600/denisepowersfabian--137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdvJ2Npnln9-XhJKp_qgLxBDCKuYA3VJuD5ht_eI8FWRdvknMSPGIXmwl_F61zjCIvyb-I3YSWeCsYN4agz3NG3gJsHL_j259GHCboZL3gtg9m5ANT34Px4c4hFX20A5jw5lWZnhMG_Q/s640/denisepowersfabian--137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Cook<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There was a time when I tried as much as
possible to cook from scratch. I had
this desire to go back in time when there was more home cooking and less
processed food. I was inspired by the
hearty meals of the Amish. I even
learned how to make things that I would not eat: apple butter, fresh peach pie, apple pie,
freezer jam. Then that began to wane,
although it was not necessarily a conscious decision.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It was one Thanksgiving when I was doing
cooking preparations when it hit me as if a bucket of ice water splashed over
me. So much of the activity of cooking
was accompanied with stretched phone cords and cradled conversations with my
mother, while she was in her kitchen doing the same. My mother’s Alzheimer’s robbed us of
that. Even when she was still able to
cook, it was becoming more and more difficult to have conversations with her
over the phone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Now I rarely cook. I miss it at times. But he is retired and I
am working full time. He has taken that
role over...<b>FOR NOW.</b> He also does the
grocery shopping. What is really
interesting is that there are things he cooks really well: pancakes, deep fried food, grilling, throwing
things together, shrimp, chili, sandwiches, poultry (he makes the best turkey
in a bag!). Things I enjoy making: lasagna, pot roast, stuffed pork chops,
homemade bread, French oven stew, pasta primavera, chicken casserole. </span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-75364269640627705802015-10-17T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-17T07:00:02.089-04:00Thirty-One Things - Fear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNPI6m3kHT8ZhwVntOLrH7MeDKSqsYrX2xJIRVawUX63bCJXiMCbAAQirVjLeb3LMZPLX23YBCzfygtNXXeUiwEdj2jM3YB_RdbJ4TyAHMYJ9Bzktj149VRzrTdgJ67woj1vQVbh4Xss/s1600/denisepowersfabian--138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNPI6m3kHT8ZhwVntOLrH7MeDKSqsYrX2xJIRVawUX63bCJXiMCbAAQirVjLeb3LMZPLX23YBCzfygtNXXeUiwEdj2jM3YB_RdbJ4TyAHMYJ9Bzktj149VRzrTdgJ67woj1vQVbh4Xss/s640/denisepowersfabian--138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Fear<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I admit.
I do not want to write about fear.
I tend to ruminate enough without dwelling on my fears. Yet I do recall a time when I was preparing
over a period of months to make a major decision, to make a move. I listed in my journal, all the things I was
afraid of in making this decision.
Somehow putting those fears on paper made them more manageable. Six months later, none of those fears became
reality.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I tend to believe that life is good and
embrace what is. I have had my share of hardships, and by God’s grace, I have
overcome. I tend to have concerns and
anxieties, but rarely experience raw fear.
There are, however, things that do cycle in my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am always concerned about Caleb. Who will be his advocate when I am no longer
able or alive?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am concerned about Lydia as she raises
three boys on her own. How will she manage financially? Will she continue to draw closer to the Lord
and be committed to following Him? Will
she continue to make wise choices?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am concerned about Noah and Elijah. Will they continue to be secure in their
relationships with their parents? Will
they find Jesus and walk with Him? Will
they do well in school and have secure futures?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am concerned about Gabriel. He has had to endure some challenges early in
his first year but continues to progress.
I wonder if he will continue to do well developmentally. The autism family history does loom in my
head sometimes. Will he be
affected? Will he find Jesus? What will his relationship be with his
father?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">While I look forward to retirement, it also
concerns me. What do you do when the
paychecks stop? Do we have enough set
aside to make it? How long will our
health continue?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And yet, I trust in the One whose eye is on
the sparrow, for I know He watches me.</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-74625006845411636412015-10-16T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-16T08:32:41.921-04:00Thirty-One Things - Rhythm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Vqbz_mmUvgg6mqM-f4lg9tgcCxccXB181e-cCX-i_t0oo6ezXUziFvM7mX1k4apXFonxgQKRLgcZqW1JgXk_eDkdYmfFt8PDrSa8Jxc6e0IP1LjtNPFgUU5_mFhDRZW2znW5W3030Vs/s1600/Rhythm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Vqbz_mmUvgg6mqM-f4lg9tgcCxccXB181e-cCX-i_t0oo6ezXUziFvM7mX1k4apXFonxgQKRLgcZqW1JgXk_eDkdYmfFt8PDrSa8Jxc6e0IP1LjtNPFgUU5_mFhDRZW2znW5W3030Vs/s640/Rhythm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Rhythm<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>I love rhythm.</b> The drumbeat I follow tends to be different
than the masses, but it is my rhythm, just the same.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The rhythm is changing as the sun slides
below the horizon earlier each evening and peeks back up later each
morning. It is slowly drifting into
cooler temperatures and our fall vacation is less than a week away. This is the rhythm of September as October
begins to knock at the door.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I rely on the predictable rhythms of life,
appreciating them more as I get older, and the world seems so chaotic. Children do best with structure and routine.
It gives them a sense of safety and security...something in their world can be
depended on. I need that, too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>I love the rhythm of Fall.</b> The warm hues of
gold, orange, burgundy, purple, and brown decorate the landscape. Food shifts to chili and the comfort of
stews, soups, roasted meats, and root vegetables. It welcomes reflection and a settling down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>I love the rhythm of Winter.</b> Home feels wonderful with the fireplace
roaring. The common winds blowing across
the Lake Erie Snow Machine creating a unique beauty of the season. I need a time of dormancy, just as the
natural world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>I love the rhythm of Spring</b> and the
predictability of the dull goldfinches beginning to show glimpses of bright
yellow. I need its rhythm of renewal and
rebirth. I need the lightness of
pastels, the fresh yellow-green of tender growth, the return of migrating birds
and the increased daylight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><strong>I love the rhythm of Summer.</strong> The annuals and perennials are in full bloom
and crickets sing each night. People are
more accessible and outside. Photograph opportunities are endless. Outdoor concerts, grilled entrees, time in
the swing on the screened porch, iced tea, fireworks, and full moons beat this
rhythm of carefree living.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Rhythm makes life livable in the middle of
so much uncertainty.</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-50130012664986440242015-10-15T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-15T07:00:06.077-04:00Thirty-One Things - Learn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88evh3jJCCjmVlFvjtgZpth8RSIGaDz7UHTlxkq0X04af-jcFzPMEpIGJhFavxHJZwFook7BvmNZDUzP0WTS1Rse5EzjUgBMiZmMj09MpZ78SQrlkAcSKt8GHVtyxJpZByYXff4PJHLw/s1600/denisepowersfabian--136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88evh3jJCCjmVlFvjtgZpth8RSIGaDz7UHTlxkq0X04af-jcFzPMEpIGJhFavxHJZwFook7BvmNZDUzP0WTS1Rse5EzjUgBMiZmMj09MpZ78SQrlkAcSKt8GHVtyxJpZByYXff4PJHLw/s640/denisepowersfabian--136.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Learn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I took a personality test at work and my
dominant color was determined to be green.
Some descriptions of those with this personality are stated as:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Searching, learning and understanding are
fun<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- They like to analyze, study, invent,
investigate and explore<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Greens have an insatiable curiosity<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Greens seek wisdom<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Pretty accurate as I have always been one
driven to learning, either formally or informally, particularly those things
that interest me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">While my bachelor’s and master’s degrees
have served me well, there are so many things I’ve thrown myself into in the
past few years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>- Birding.</b>
I remember making an effort to find a bluebird in a nesting area with no
binoculars and knowing nothing. Found
one. And the birding bug bit! Devouring
the field guide, buying a great pair of binoculars, and meeting other birders,
I could not get enough of become more and more proficient in this hobby.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>- Genealogy.</b>
I have dug deep into my West Virginia heritage and genealogy in the past
six years, since my dad died. Finding
treasures of photos and letters from the past, whetted my appetite to know who
they were and to know the stories. Through genealogy I was able to make more
discoveries. And with more discoveries,
more pieces began to come together in the puzzle, only to make me want
more. I wanted so badly to spend time
with my ancestors and would go to their graves and where they lived hoping to
catch a greater glimpse of who they were.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>- Photography.</b> Since 2010, I have not been able to get enough
of learning and growing this art, as well as memory keeping. This way of freezing a moment or a memory is
all encompassing. I now am learning
memory photography for families whose babies are not expect to survive after
birth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But this has only scratched the surface of
what I am learning and continue to pursue each and every day.</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-58107399333684129092015-10-14T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-14T07:00:01.843-04:00Thirty-One Things - Feet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJesYMFSxMjJSeEUmRIciJoLUXLjcF6kES6AvnMVgCwN1aJoqEI5pp6_7uClvQddOfq_S09xISd0No0AbY7vvF_9YuB6vzF2tlW3IY3FA_-5BmBlI1q5myKhlby0tqelfPt1gQNwqZUCY/s1600/denisepowersfabian--135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJesYMFSxMjJSeEUmRIciJoLUXLjcF6kES6AvnMVgCwN1aJoqEI5pp6_7uClvQddOfq_S09xISd0No0AbY7vvF_9YuB6vzF2tlW3IY3FA_-5BmBlI1q5myKhlby0tqelfPt1gQNwqZUCY/s640/denisepowersfabian--135.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Feet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My feet has inherited the dryness of my
dad’s, and I’ve passed it onto Caleb. I don’t expect improvement in that area
now that I’m 58. But darling Ed, he
takes over my feet, gives me pedicures, and rubs them with moisturizer. I am so
blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My feet have gone wherever I have gone. I think about how these feet have marched
across many a football field and streets for parades. My faithful feet were reliable all through
several years of band camp and marching down Derby Hill for the <a href="http://www.soapboxderby.org/" target="_blank">Soap Box Derby</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My feet have raised money for Nazarene
missions, Alzheimer’s disease, and Akron Children’s Hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It’s easy to take my feet for granted...and
as bunions have become obvious and make wearing stilettos a thing of the
past...I realize how they have served me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My feet have often been the vehicle I have
used to capture photographs along pathways and photowalks. They have brought about discoveries and
helped me see the world at a slower pace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My feet have served others. I now have to walk through up to three
buildings to meet with my patients and families. Sometimes multiple trips a day. Counseling.
Linking others to services.
Providing emotional support.
Listening. Giving cafeteria
vouchers or a parking pass or a gas card.
Memory making.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My feet bring comfort at night as I rub them
together under the covers when I go to bed at night. They love to be bare and the less confining
the shoe, the better! Flip flops are the
favorite fashion of my feet...and we hang on to wearing them as early in the
season and as late in the season as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My feet hold a place of honor, as they are
what must hit the floor first in order for me to begin a new day...a new adventure.</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-73871541396266336472015-10-13T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-13T17:10:55.502-04:00Thirty-One Things - Bedside Table<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzRJ3wvzuKfHSOVGRl_WT3HZFv0Q_pRQ8AiqL2u6gl7HZ_HHVpet-Uh_tRxaO9HoVh79t71MdLWHSIyeUQ5-9s03GiqTVzFwZMkeBWlyzqk2nHACDXfgZ4YRyG1Q49VgrTA7kIKI5290/s1600/denisepowersfabian--134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzRJ3wvzuKfHSOVGRl_WT3HZFv0Q_pRQ8AiqL2u6gl7HZ_HHVpet-Uh_tRxaO9HoVh79t71MdLWHSIyeUQ5-9s03GiqTVzFwZMkeBWlyzqk2nHACDXfgZ4YRyG1Q49VgrTA7kIKI5290/s640/denisepowersfabian--134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 10pt;">Bedside table...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My bedside table is very special to me. It is a nightstand and bookcase. Seeking out the perfect black bedroom
furniture, I had it custom made by a woodworker. A distressed worn look with an underlying red
underneath that peeks where the black stain is randomly wiped away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This bedside table is my friend on lazy
Saturday mornings (like today) when I am in bed longer...sitting up. It holds my coffee, my phone, a light, my
meds...my glasses when I sleep.
Sometimes it has books on it but most of my reading books are on the
bookshelves (a pair, one on each side of the bed) or in my tote. It also has some of Arthur’s hair noticeably
against the black base...signs of how much time I spend here. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My bedside table has been with me through my
single years and since I married Ed. It
has heard numerous conversations and prayers. It has seen Ed and I hold each
other and make love. It has seen me sick
and seen me sad. It never complains when
it has to hold my snotty tissues.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My bedside table has seen me change
Noah...Elijah...and Gabriel. It has
watched me and one of my grandsons lay on top of the bed watching movies
(Elijah loved the Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, The Witch, and The
Wardrobe). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My bedside table has heard the many birds
outside my bedroom window...where the feeders welcome them. It has noticed the cycle of the changing dull
color of the goldfinches evolve to a brilliant yellow as spring arrives. It also witnessed the possum that tried to
invade the birdseed in the middle of the night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My bedside table experiences my life with me
and knows me so well. Often as I lay my
head next on my pillow, I believe it can hear the thoughts in my head...my
worries, my fears, my gratitude, my randomness, my happiness, my glee, my
prayers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It really deserves better care and more
dusting. But it never complains. My
bedside table – a faithful friend.</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-10748172500333142432015-10-12T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-12T16:57:43.834-04:00Thirty-One Things - Quote<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO09C5Yrnfa0ZZoV8ptwpv_E9VFGuudnLwRcc7JSC1qdloJuocr4_FICCIKAao_Z5VhV4F8bK15EWp_sPliA7c9g16rVIrnyNGW-C1nLM6yDk43mmVWpctgbQtwiDlBjCRsLvBYIopFow/s1600/denisepowersfabian--133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO09C5Yrnfa0ZZoV8ptwpv_E9VFGuudnLwRcc7JSC1qdloJuocr4_FICCIKAao_Z5VhV4F8bK15EWp_sPliA7c9g16rVIrnyNGW-C1nLM6yDk43mmVWpctgbQtwiDlBjCRsLvBYIopFow/s640/denisepowersfabian--133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Quote…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have been a collector of quotes. I recall back in high school, my wirebound lined notebook filled with quotes and poems I loved handwritten in red. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I find quotes a great jump off point for journaling. They also serve as great mantras to memorize. When we think of Bible verses, aren’t they actually quotes we memorize?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I often give quote jars to special friends as gifts. They are clear glass jars with lids, filled with individual quotes on cut, printed paper, randomly placed for the receiver to pull a single quote out at any time they need one.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A great resource for quotes: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/">www.goodreads.com</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Quotes can be very convicting. One of particular notice is from Paul David Tripp from his book, Whiter Than Snow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am too skilled</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">At mounting</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Plausible arguments</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Structured</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">To make me feel okay</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">About what I think</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">What I desire</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">What I say</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">What I do</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am too defensive...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In the holy of holies,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Where I stand naked,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">All covering gone,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Before You...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">May you do there,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">What I cannot do...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">May you create in me,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A clean heart.</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-75743163272102362502015-10-11T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-11T07:00:05.095-04:00Thirty-One Things - Camera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCa9Mmln1mlkoRYWHPZTVp8OPiEJ6PDYmAkeRn5_kSkTdHd-Y9kuuMdM3ROUQ6sZQTtrBQrFzHZQwDPnNeYjJAh0BcV4J9w33l_neGZjC262zsKjKt1KSBrz1vHoTNWDH9qRnpKXPTv0/s1600/denisepowersfabian--132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCa9Mmln1mlkoRYWHPZTVp8OPiEJ6PDYmAkeRn5_kSkTdHd-Y9kuuMdM3ROUQ6sZQTtrBQrFzHZQwDPnNeYjJAh0BcV4J9w33l_neGZjC262zsKjKt1KSBrz1vHoTNWDH9qRnpKXPTv0/s640/denisepowersfabian--132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Me and My Camera...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I remember my instamatic and the flashcubes
of the 1970s</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">the faded film and
the date in the corner. I remember the
importance of capturing friends, family, and my own children. This was before scrapbooking and smart
phones.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I bought my camera in 2009 as a ‘congrats on
your dream job’ gift. Later that year my
dad was diagnosed and died of cancer. It
was not until July of 2010 that I would pick it up and learn it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Learning things like ISO, aperture, shutter
speed, depth of field, the camera became alive to me. Then a 70-300 zoom lens, a few more primes. Then an extra body.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I became rabid about online learning and
couldn’t absorb enough. I discovered how
to do textures, use Photoshop and Lightroom. And learned how to do still life’s
and add text to photos. It became more
than just taking photos</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">it was
becoming art. Everywhere I went, my mind
was framing possible photos. My
photography began evolving into something greater than I imagined in the
beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Now I use it as a tool to bring gifts to
others and ourselves. I embrace it to
capture life as it is versus fabricating it.
I have become prolific in memory keeping and turning it into
treasure. It’s about making meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">This year I took the plunge to purchasing my
first full frame camera</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">the retro
Nikon Df. I’m just getting to know it
and how to use it. Vacation is a week
away and I’ll be breaking it in. It has
a reputation for being superb in low light situations with minimal noise when
you have to increase the ISO significantly.
I try to avoid flash whenever possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Before the end of the year is over, I hope
to be doing photography for families of babies who children born with very
little chance of life. It is a
phenomenal gift to give to a family as part of our palliative care team. It feels a little daunting as this may be the
only photos they will ever have of their child, but I know God will give me the
grace to do this ministry.</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEPcrdx-T1R49pCTgVS-w8C2T3mWVsxs1b1vblwKxfGxBT9tx47-xNasBT2eHCifQk8JYZrPkFy64o82VFaNe-lD225npBs6GCx1Twg7JUrhp0G6dgH5QIdsU27PM1fPQIsKwcC_Qpa8/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEPcrdx-T1R49pCTgVS-w8C2T3mWVsxs1b1vblwKxfGxBT9tx47-xNasBT2eHCifQk8JYZrPkFy64o82VFaNe-lD225npBs6GCx1Twg7JUrhp0G6dgH5QIdsU27PM1fPQIsKwcC_Qpa8/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-45484289008855084222015-10-10T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-10T07:00:05.776-04:00Thirty-One Things - Memory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJw90bVy_WlVj9bwRuplKOy_nJfiqVuH9e0scnS7-eGH4KQI-zRtQiGvWa8QxMiguNYcMr2PH_Ne3oCV5XeiLdVUDcYjidxzY7uwBgjrhj7NzOaei_zVUZVgE99oD-pe0Ftm63hyOmqE/s1600/KnodeHomestead3-Edit-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJw90bVy_WlVj9bwRuplKOy_nJfiqVuH9e0scnS7-eGH4KQI-zRtQiGvWa8QxMiguNYcMr2PH_Ne3oCV5XeiLdVUDcYjidxzY7uwBgjrhj7NzOaei_zVUZVgE99oD-pe0Ftm63hyOmqE/s640/KnodeHomestead3-Edit-web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">MEMORY<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I never valued memory as I do now until I
saw my mother’s elude her. Life is a
string of precious memories as jewels on a necklace. There are too many to count or name, but each
is a priceless gift.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I never want to forget and always remember
// when my mother prayed with me after a bad dream // the comfort of Ed being
next to me at night // the anticipation each year of the coming of autumn // my
first sighting of a Blackburnian Warbler // Lydia having her first bite of ice
cream // how the house smelled after Sunday morning church // Thompson’s ice
cream // pulling clothes through Mamaw’s wringer washer // the smell of Zest
soap // my dad praying on the chair in the bathroom // strawberry picking with
my mom // playing with the Garros // dancing at band camp // Yelling BEARM in
the middle of band // Ruff burying his bones in Dale’s bed // seeing Ed face to
face for the first time // leaves burning in the Fall // the rustling of Bible
pages in church // the night I prayed at Gilgal // when Arthur picked me //
Lydia’s first steps // showing Noah the bird tornado // sleeping on the hard
folding chairs at camp meeting // Sidda sitting across my shins // cake after
church in the fellowship hall // listening to Howie Chizek on WNIR // my
father’s voice // Caleb’s doe eyes // Acme-Zip games // slow-cooked roast beef
// Mamaw’s rolls // making apple butter with my mother // playing the piano at
Calvary Bible Church // the fall hiking spree with Suzanne // mom’s baloney
sandwiches she made me for lunch time on school days // miniskirts and go-go
boots // my first job at Ponderosa // Living Witness // the sound of crickets
at night // star gazing at the meteor showers in summer // listening to Hazel
Lee at MVNC // Lydia going with Betty to get crackers // Caleb’s beautiful bowl cuts //
the sparrow that fell // wearing braided stocking on my head pretending I had
long hair // football games with Josh and Missi // seven-up popsicles // riding
my bike around the neighborhood // Green 1 // the smell after fireworks //
relatives stopping in at Mamaw’s // Papa getting the big rocks out of the way
driving up the road to Green Hill // being random with Dale // trying not to
laugh during church // the zillions of stars in the pitch black sky in West
Virginia // talking Mountaineer football with my dad // Lydia twirling in her
lacey dress // Caleb’s cuddles when he was sick // Smores at the Green Cabin //
snuggling with Noah and Elijah at bedtime // hearing the first signs of spring
– birds // wonderful Words of life // and I’ve just started.</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-47635033728773230292015-10-09T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-09T07:00:09.198-04:00Thirty-One Things - 11:25 a.m.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU29cxtm_ZtNq1pe1XdjwMj6_pn-m0VHZbmiwRV75oYHM8SPVfZ5ycFCnVg433zwW9eQ-mj0kr39PqI45d5m3KigRkqfRD0PVsSp4g__Yf8qws7UXU7-KLRHETfd7VqRn1W6bE1-iolR8/s1600/11988738_10206956453046406_7130536567748130744_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU29cxtm_ZtNq1pe1XdjwMj6_pn-m0VHZbmiwRV75oYHM8SPVfZ5ycFCnVg433zwW9eQ-mj0kr39PqI45d5m3KigRkqfRD0PVsSp4g__Yf8qws7UXU7-KLRHETfd7VqRn1W6bE1-iolR8/s640/11988738_10206956453046406_7130536567748130744_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">11:25 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It is September 11, 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I’m watching MSNBC special programming of
the Today Show “as it happened” fourteen years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Ed’s at Sam’s Club. I’m alone in the
bedroom, in bed propped up by pillows. I
had hoped to take this day off for a time of reflection, but alas, I am sick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">By 11:25 a.m. in 2001, both towers were
down, United 93 had crashed in Shanksville, and the side of the Pentagon had
collapsed. We, as a country, were trying
to get our emotions and minds around what had just occurred.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Today at 11:25, I reflect on how it hardly
seems like this was fourteen years ago; it seems like yesterday. Just as it is hard to believe I’m no longer
44 but 58.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It’s cooler today. Rain expected later. Ed will be traveling to Elyria for a rainy football
game against Mogadore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As I watch television, with my legs covered
by covers, the cool air from the window and the ceiling fan soothe me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am grateful Caleb was able to come home
from the hospital yesterday and today at 11:25 am he is at home where he
belongs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I can’t help but wonder about my one patient
ready for discharge today and how it is going. I can never walk away and not
feel an ongoing sense of responsibility.
Hoping it all goes well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Feeling drowsy from this upper respiratory
infection and will probably snuggle down at 12 noon and take a nap. It feels the best the few minutes before
falling asleep.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">God bless America, again.</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219829681601522546.post-3310715809902050772015-10-08T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-08T07:00:02.591-04:00Thirty-One Things - Makeup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpdkRbwnjoQ0u0B88woRS-1H0jh2Z6FiCqqYtsP9mm37gm6rXFejH_XHoq6rm3Ke5Ub7GJe8JmS14qweQ5h14_DHdFTT-5xXgN7Cy2qCzwfxs9yrZG2Kvss5DIVNTn826iZN-md4-Lhw/s1600/denisepowersfabian--124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpdkRbwnjoQ0u0B88woRS-1H0jh2Z6FiCqqYtsP9mm37gm6rXFejH_XHoq6rm3Ke5Ub7GJe8JmS14qweQ5h14_DHdFTT-5xXgN7Cy2qCzwfxs9yrZG2Kvss5DIVNTn826iZN-md4-Lhw/s640/denisepowersfabian--124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Makeup Musings!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- I grew up in a household where makeup was
seen as “worldly” and “sinful.” The only makeup I ever saw my mother wear was
liquid foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Even though as an early teenager I would
wash off any eye makeup I had used (usually a pencil liner for my lower lid),
my mom could always tell! She eventually
gave up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Plucking my eyebrows the first time was
painstaking. It was hard for me to tell what they looked like as the plucked
area was red and puffy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Although warned not to do so, my
girlfriends and I always swapped makeup, sharing colors, highlights, concealer,
blush, mascara. Experimenting was fun!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- With big dark eyes, colored eye shadow
never did a thing for me. I would try
greens, blues, plums, pinks. Only browns
worked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- I’ve spent a lot of money on makeup. Drug store makeup. Department store makeup. At one time I was only an Estee Lauder girl.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">- My favorite lipstick was Estee Lauder Caf</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">é</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">
Rose topped with Tiger Eye. Now, I
rarely wear lipstick. I still like it
but it doesn’t last. I’m not one to
carry it around with me to reapply. Maybe that's called <i>freedom</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Now that I’m older, I think about how to
change up my makeup. If you don’t change
it up, you can actually look older, less attractive, dated! Still trying to balance that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- My favorite days are when I don’t have to
work, don’t have to shower, don’t have to do my hair, <u>and don’t have to do
my makeup</u>. Better than that is
having a husband who understands this and does not mind me being frumpy for a
day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">- Maybe she was born with it</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">…</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">maybe
it’s Maybelline!</span><span style="font-family: Remington Noiseless;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s1600/SignatureLine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCaJD23h6v9zFJBRzZYD8hHK-hRedGZVLDpKXRxq6s8S0XX3l7Vrf7mUH_KQc8nry4eoH2vQAsRj1swaWQ7R2uixIJBFGVJLAoWdKQBNTgvwRTZnxjtAXaVqNCmFzRvBP_koq4ZNojVA/s200/SignatureLine.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6